Steering mechanism



Feb. 4, 1936.

c. v. KOONS 2,029,378

STEERING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 27, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 k [rzv en 23 or Charles V Koqns Feb. 4, 1936. c. v. KooNs STEERING MECHANISM '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [nven for C/mfZes A Z Zornq Filed Sept. 27, 1953 Patented Feb. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims. (01. 103-38) This invention relates to steering mechanisms, and more particularly to steering mechanisms of the electro-hydraulic type employed on ships, dirigibles and the like.

One object of the present invention is to provide in a steering mechanism employing a fluid pump and motor, a safety means commonly known as a torque equalizer, which functions when the pressure in the system reaches a predetermined value to reduce the output of the pump and thereby prevent damage to the parts.

Amore specific object is to provide in a device of the stated character a safety means or torque equalizer comprising a single fluid motor connected with the pressure in the system which operates against the tension of adjustable spring means to reduce the output of the pump when the pressure in the system reaches a predetermined value.

A further object is to provide a safety means or torque equalizer which is comprised of but a few simple parts compactly arranged, and which ,as the description of the invention progresses.

Of the drawings: Fig. 1 is a general plan view showing the steer- .ing mechanism comprising the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rudder stock and the fluid motor for operating the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of the control means for the pump including the torque equalizer.

Fig. 4 is a view of the torque equalizer taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. '3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the'mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified construction.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view partly in section of the upper portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates generally the control for the steering mechanism, which includes a variable stroke reversible discharge pump 2 of the general type shown and described in the United States patent to Albert R. Kuzelewski, No. 1,924,124. Pump 2 is driven by an electric motor M, or by any other suitable means. Fluid discharging from pump 2 operates a fluid motor 3, the rams 4 and 5 of which are operatively connected to a rudder stock 6 by links 1 and 8 respectively, as shown in Fig. 2. Ram 4 operates in aligned cylinders 9 and I while the ram operates in aligned cylinders II and I2 arranged in the present instant in substantially parallel relation with cylinders 9 and I0. As shown in Fig. 1, pipes l3 and I4 leading from pump 2 are connected to distributing valves [5 and I6 respectively. Distributing valves l5 and !6 are connected to the cylinders Ill, II and 9, l2 5 by pipes 18, I9 and I1, 29, respectively. Thus when pressure is applied to pipe l3 by the pump 2 fluid will enter cylinders 10 and II, causing the rudder (not shown) to be'moved in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2). It is also apparent 10 that when pump 2 is adjusted so as to deliver fluid pressure to pipe l4 fluid will enter cylinders 9 and I2, thereby causing the rudder to move in a clockwise direction. In constructions of this character'when pressure isapplled to either of the pipes l3 or l4, suction is applied to the other causing evacuation of the ram cylinders which are not subjected to pressure.

Steering may be effected from several desired positions located at points remote from the operating mechanism. In the present embodiment three stations are provided which are designated as A, B and C, respectively. Steering wheels 2|, 22, and 23 are provided at stations A, B and. C, which are respectively geared to highly sensitive 25 generators 24, 25 and 26. Electrical conductors 21, 28 and 29 connect generators 24, 25 and 26, respectively, with the poles 30, 3| and 32 of a. station switch 33. Switch 33 is connected to a single throw switch 34 by conductors 35. A sec- 0nd series of conductors 36 connect switch 34 with a second switch 38, and a third series of conductors 3'1 connect switch 38 with a highly sensitive electric motor 39. Alternating current for energizing the generators 24, 25 or 26 and motor 39 is obtained from collector rings (not shown) provided on motor M, or from any other suitable source. Conductors 43 and 44 lead from these collector rings to a switch 45 which in turn is connected to switch 38 by conductors 46 and 41. The generators 24, "and 26, and motor 39 are of a well known type and are so constructed that any motion imparted to any of the generators 24, 25 or 26 by the steering wheels associated therewith is simultaneously imparted to the motor 39 through the connections just described. The motor 39 is operatively connected with a speed reduction unit 48, which in turn is connected with a bevel gear 49 forming one side of a diiieren ial gear 50; a bevel gear 5| 50 forming the other side of said differential gear being connected in the present instance through a worm wheel and worm 52 to a followup shaft 53, which in turn is operatively connected to the ram 4 by the chain and gear mechanism 54 55 a block 58 slidably mounted upon a framework 8 shown in Fig. 2 In mesh with bevel gears 49 and 5| is a third bevel gear 55. This gear has operatively connected therewith a segmental gear 56 mounted coaxial with gears 49 and 5|. Seg- I mental gear 56 meshes with a rack 51 secured to block 58 is also suitably bored to receive the rods,

65 and 61. Rods 65 and 61 are secured to the enlarged portions 'II and I2 respectively, of extensions I3 and 14 which extend through and are stroke thereof.

guided in openings provided in a bracket I5. Bracket 15 is secured to a supplemental framework I6 which in turn is secured to casing 60 and to the extensions 11 and I8 of the cylinder 19 of a fluid motor 80. The enlarged portions II and I2 of extensions I3 and 14 form annular shoulders which abut against the outer side of block 58. Rod 66 extends through an enlarged opening 8| provided in block 59 and the enlarged end thereof is provided with internal threads for receiving the reduced tapped end of a valve stem 82 extending from a fluid motor 83. Slidably mounted on the rod 66 and in close juxtaposition to the inner face of block 58 is a collar 84 having anannular boss extending inwardly therefrom. A coil spring 86 extends between block 6| and collar 84 and is held in position by the bosses 63 and 85 respectively. As shown in Fig. 3, the enlarged portion of rod66 forms an annular shoulder which is adapted to engage the outer side of collar 84. Spring 86 urges block 58 into engagement with the enlarged portions II and I2 of extensions I3 and I4, and block 6| into engagement with nuts, 69 and I0, and the tension thereof may be varied by adjusting these nuts. By this construction a resilient connection is providedbetween the valve and the diflerential gear 50 which permits relative movement thereof. I

The fluid motor 83 is of the general type shown I and described in the pending application of Robert C. Lamond,Serial No. 565,644, filed September 28, 1931, and for a full disclosure thereof reference may be had to said application. This motor is provided with a plunger (not shown), the extension 81 of which is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 88. The other end of lever 88 is connected to the mechanism of the pump'2 which controls the direction of discharge and the Thus,.when the valve of motor 83 is adjusted by the differential gear 50 upon operation of motor 39, the plunger thereof will actuate lever 88, which in turn actuates the pump adjusting mechanism causing fluid to be delivered to motor 3 to adjust the rudder accordingly.

' 0 Upon .movement of rams 4 and 5 of motor 3 the followup mechanism actuates the difierential gear 50 in the opposite direction from which it was previously operated by motor 39, causing the valve of motor 83 to move in a reverse direction to neutral position. When this occurs-the plunger operating in motor 83 actuates the lever 88 in the reverse direction, causing the stroke adin adjusted position until the stroke of pump 2 is again adjusted by the mechanism just described. Fluid is delivered to motor 83 by a small pump 89 driven by motor M. Pump 89 is preferably of the same general type as the pump 2, and is connected in an independent hydraulic system through the piping connections and 9|, shown in Fig. 1. A makeup tank A is shown in operative relation with an hydraulic system, including the pump 89 and motor 83, and this tank may also supply .the main fluid system including pump 2 and motor 3.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the bracket I5 comprises an upper semi-cylindrical casing 92 and a lower semi-cylindrical casing 93 having independent guide members 94 and secured to the ends thereof. The guide members 94 and 95 are suitably secured to the supplemental framework I6 by any suitable means, which framework in turn is secured to casing 60 and the extensions I1 and I8 of fluid motor 80, as previously set forth. The semi-cylindrical casings 92 and 93 are secured together by any suitable means, such as by bolts 96, forming a cylindrical casing 91, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Mounted within this casing is a split sleeve 98 which surrounds the reduced portion 99 of valve stem 82, and the shoulders I00 and I0| formed by the reduced portion of the valve stemabut against the ends of said sleeve thereby providing a driving connection between the latter and the stem 82. By this construction it is seen that upon reciprocation of sleeve 98 by mechanism which will be presently described, axial adjust- ,ment .ofwvalve stem 82 in either direction is effected. As shown more particularly in Fig. 4, a pair of studs I02 and I03 are tightly pressed into apertures provided in diametrically opposite points in sleeve 98. The enlarged portions I04 and I05 of studs I02 and I03 respectively, extend through and are guided in slots I06 and I01 of casing 91. Ball bearing rollers I08 and I09 are provided on studs I02 and I03 respectively, near the outer ends thereof, which are held in place by lock nuts H0 and III. These rollers are adapted to be engaged by the cam faces H2 or II3 provided in arms I I4 and 5 respectively, of

a yoke II6, when the latter is actuated by motor 80, as will presently appear. Yoke H6 is guided for reciprocation between the inner faces of guide members 94 and 95 of bracket 15. A cross member I" connects the arms 4 and H5 of yoke H6, and is secured intermediate the ends thereof to a piston II8 operating in the cylinder I9 of motor 80. A pair of links H9 and I20 are pivotally connected at one end thereof to the cross member Ill, and at the other end to one arm of hell crank levers I'2I and I22, respectively. I Bell crank levers I2| and I22 are pivotally mounted in brackets I23 and I24, respectively, and the other arms thereof have pivoted thereto one end of rods I25 and I26, respectively, which extend through apertures provided in a spring seat I2'I pivotally mounted in 0. pair of-spaced bearing brackets I28 and I29, as shown in Fig. 5. A pair of coil springs I30 and |3| encircle rods I25 and I 26, respectively, and extend between spring seat I21 and a pair of spring seats I32 and I33 provided near the outer .ends of said rods. Lock nuts I34 and I35 providedat the ends of rods I25 and I26 maintain thesprings in proper position on the rods and afford a means for adjusting the tension of said p ings. v

Fluid motor is connected to the pressure in the system bya pipe I36, which, as shown in Fig. 1. is connected to pipes I31 and I38 leading respectively from distributing valves I and I8. It therefore is seen that when the pressure in the system exceeds the tension of springs I and ISI piston H8 will actuate yoke H6 causing the cam faces H2 or H3 thereon to engage rollers I08 and I08, and thus adjustthe valve of motor 83 to normal position. When this occurs motor 83 will actuate the stroke adjusting elements of pump 2 to neutral position thereby rendering the pump ineifective. Under certain conditions it may be desirable to place the pump on partial stroke rather than in neutral position and this may be accomplished by so. designing the cam faces of H2 and H3 that the valve will be actuated only a portion ofthe distance between fullstroke and neutral position. In the event that frequent changes are required adjustable cam faces may be provided. It will be noted that whenvave stem 83 is operated by cams I I2 or H3 this operation takes place through the spring connection 86, and therefore relative movement of valve stem 82 and the differential gear is permitted. The spring connection 86 thus prevents damage to the parts when the valve is operated by yoke I I6; also in case the differential gear overtravels the distance required to move the valve to its limiting position in either direction.

The operation of the mechanism just described is briefly as follows. Suppose, for example, that steering is to beeffected from station A. The contactarm of station switch 33 is first adjusted so as to make contact with the pole 30 thereon.

Now. upon manipulation of steering wheel 2| in either direction thernotion imparted thereby to generator 24 is immediately transmitted to motor 38 through the conductors 21.3.35, 36 and 39. and, switches 33, 34 and .38.";Motor' 39 through reduction gearing 48 actuates .the bevel gear 49 of the differential gear ,50, causing the bevel gear to revo ve about'its axiswith; the result that segmental gear 58 as'sociatcdtherewith will actuate rack 51 and conseguently'sliding block 58. The movement thus imparted to sliding block 58 is imparted to valve stem 82 through the spring mechanism 88 shown inFig. 3. Upon adjustment of the valve stem 82 of motor 83 in this manner fluid from pump 88 will actuate said motor which in turn actuates lever Y 88 and placespump 2 on stroke. Fluid from pump 2 is now delivered to motor 3 which, thrcugh links I and 8, adjusts the rudder. Upon movement of the rams 4 and 5 of motor 3, the

reverse direction which, through its connectionwith the stroke adjusting mechanism of pump 2',-

causes the latter to be adjusted to neutral position. The rudder thus remains in adjusted position until steering wheel 2I' is again operated.

It frequently occurs, especially. during a heavy sea, that excessive forces. are imposed against the rudder which react through the hydraulic system, causing the pump 2 to generate excessive pressure in the system which may cause damage to the operating parts. To prevent such damage, I have devised an improved safety means or torque equalizer which functions when excessive pressures occur, to reduce the stroke of pump 2 thus relieving the operating effort of the motor M. As shown in Fig. 1, the fluid motor is'connected at all times to the pressure in the system, and when this pressure exceeds the tension of springs I30 and I3I (Figs. 4 and 5) piston H8 actuates yoke H6 causing the cam H2 or H3 provided thereon to engage rollers I08 and I09 to adjust valve stem 82 to neutral position or to a position intermediate neutral position and full stroke position, as the case may be. The motor 83 then operates to reduce the stroke of pump 2 accordingly.

The motor 83 is employed only in larger units. where considerable pressure is required to adjust the discharge and stroke adjusting mechanism of the pump. In smaller units the mechanism shown in Fig. 6 may be efiectively employed. This mechanism is similar in all respects to that shown in Fig. 1 except that the motor 83 is dispensed with and instead a reciprocating rod 82 is directly connected to one one end of a lever 88, the other end being connected to the stroke and discharge adjusting device of pump 2'. Rod 82' is actuated by a differential gear 50 through a spring mechanism 86 of the same construction as that shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Rod 82, and consequently the stroke adjusting mechanism, is also adjusted to reduce the stroke of pump 2' when the pressure in the system reaches a predetermined value, by a yoke H6 operated by a fluid motor 80 of the same construction as that shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

As shown in Fig. 1, a trick wheel I40 is also provided which enables steering of the ship indeconfine the invention to the embodiments herein 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with apump of means for regulating the discharge of said pump including a recipro- CPI cable member and a differential gear, resilient means interposed between said differential gear and said member, projections extending laterally from said member, a yoke'having cam faces thereon adapted to engage said projections, a fluid motor for actuating said yoke against the tension of said resilient means when the pressure developed by the pump exceeds a predetermined value, to reduce the stroke of the pump, one or more springs for resisting the operation of said fluid motor, a bracket mounting for said springs, means including a levereperatively connecting said springs ,to said yoke, and means for adjusting said springs.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pump, of means for regulating the discharge of said pump including a movable member, :a pair of spaced abutments on said a casing enclosing said complementary elements member, complementary elements engaging saidmember and extending between said abutments,

and having provided therein a pair of diagonally opposed guide slots extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of studs secured to and extending outwardly of said complementary elements', and guided for movement in'said slots, and means for engaging said projections to actuate said movable member when the pressure developed by said pump exceeds a predetermined value, to thereby reduce the discharge of said pump.. I 7 L 3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pump, of means for regulating the discharge of said pump including a movable member and a diiierential gear, resilient means.

interposed between said differential gear and movable member, a pair of spaced abutments on said member, complementary elements engaging said member and extending between said abutments, a casing enclosing said elements and having provided therein, a pair of diagonally opposed guide slots extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of studs secured to and extending outwardly of said complementary elements and guided for movement in said slots, andmeans for engaging said studs to actuate said movable member against the tension of said resilient means when the pressure developed by said pump exceeds a predetermined value, to thereby reduce the discharge of said pump.

4. In a device of the class, described, the combination with a pump, of means for regulating the discharge of said pump including a reciprocable member, resilient means operatively connected to said member whereby movement of the latter is effected through said resilient means, a pair of spaced abutments on said member, complementary elements engaging said member and extending between said abutments, a casing enclosing said complementary elements and having provided therein a pair of diagonally opposed guide slots extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of studs secured to and extending outwardly of said complementary elements, each of said studs having a portion thereof extending through and guided in said slots, anti-friction means provided at the outer ends of each of said studs, and means for engaging said anti-friction means to reciprocate said member against the tension of said resilient means when the pressure developed by said pump exceeds a predetermined value to thereby reduce the discharge of said pump.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pump, of means for regulating the discharge of said pump including a reciprocable member, a pair of crossheads mounted on said reciprocable, member, resilient means extending between said crossheads whereby movement of said member is effected through said resilie'nt means, a pair of spaced abutments on said member, complementary members engaging said member and extending between said abutments,

a casing enclosing said complementary elements and having provided therein a pair of diagonally 5 opposed guide slots extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of studs secured to and extending outwardly of said complementary elements, each of said studs having an enlarged portion extending through and guided in said slots, a roller mounted at the outer end of each of said studs, and means for engaging said rollers to actuate said reciprocable member against the tension of said resilient means when the pressure in said pump exceeds a predetermined'value, to reduce the discharge of said pump,said last mentioned means comprising a pair of cam members, a fluid motor connected to the pressure of said pump for actuating said cam members, and resilient means for resisting movement of said cam members in one direction, and to return the latter to ineffective position when the pressure developed by said pump falls below said predetermined value.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pump, of means for regulating the discharge of said pump including a movable member and adifierential gear, a flexible connection between said member and gear, projections extending laterally from said movable member, a yoke having cam faces thereon adapted to engage said projections, a fluid motor for actuating said yoke when the pressure developed by the pump exceeds apredetermined value, to reduce the stroke of said pump, one or more springs for resisting the operation of said fluid motor, said springs being disposed at an angle to said yoke, a bracket mounting for said springs, means including a bell crank lever operatively connecting said springs and said yoke, and means for 40 adjusting said springs.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pump, of means for regulating the discharge of said pump including a movable member, mechanism for actuating said movable 46 member, resilient means interposed between said operating mechanism and said member, projections extending laterally from said movable member, a yoke having cam faces thereon adapted to engage said projections, a fluid motor foractu- 50 ating said yoke against the tension of said resilient means when the pressure developed by the pump exceeds a predetermined value, to reduce the stroke of said pump, one or more'springs for resisting the operation of said fluid motor, said 5 springs being disposed at an angle to said yoke, a bracket mounting for said springs, and means including a bell crank lever operatively connecting said springs and said yoke. 

